Fire extinguisher



June 24, 1930. i c. R. DOLIVE FIRE EX INGUISHER Filed Aug. 6, 1927 INVENTOR 'J -L Pwpk W. M

ATTORNEYS.

I Patented June 24, 1930 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES R. D'OLIVE, or DAYTON, 1110, ASSIGNOR 'ro THE FY R-FYTER COMPANY, or DAYTON, onro, A CORPORATION or OHIO FIRE EXTINGU'ISHER Application filed August 6, 1927. Serial No. 211,112.

This invention relates to fire extinguishers, and particularly to fire extinguishers of the chemical reaction type.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a superior fire extinguisher mechanism of this type which is simple and sturdy in construction, has long life, and is effective and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of this in vention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and appended claims. In the drawing in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout theseveral views thereof,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an extinguisher constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale of a portion of extinguisher taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a partial vertical sectional view of a modified form of extinguisher, the parts being shown in the positions assumed upon inversion. of the extinguisher.

While the fire extinguisher herein described will satisfactorily operate upon a variety'of charge materialsyit is adapted particularly to receive a charge which comprises a relatively concentrated solution of potassium carbonate within the outer container, andv an. acid such as chlorosulfonic acid within an inner container. Preferably the Underwriters Laboratories in this re spect whereby the'extinguisher receives a a freezing temperature depressant, such as rating as being of a preferred character. However, when conditions of use warrant, the extinguisher of the present invention may be provided with any known and suitable chemical charge.

Referring to. the drawing, Figs. 1 and 2 disclose an embodiment of the invention which is adapted particularly to receive a charge of the carbonate solution and an acid such as chlorosulfonic acid or hydrochloric acid, for which a sealed acid bottle is desirable. The extinguisher comprises a sheet metal container 10 having a portion 11 with a flat face which serves as a base on which the container may set when not in use. The lower end of the container is closed by a sheet metal bottom 12 which may be fastened to the wall of the outer shell in any suitable manner such as by soldering. The

top end is provided with a centrally arranged opening which receives therein a cover casting 14 to which this end of the shell is soldered. The upper end of the cover casting 14 is threaded to receive thereon a cover member 15 carrying 'a suitable handle 16, which as shown is in the form of aring to serve as a base upon which the extinguisher is adapted to rest when inverted. An annular washer 17 is positioned between the cover 15 and the upper end of the cover casting 14:. l

Adjacent the upper end of the extinguisher, and passing through the wall of the extinguisher shell is a discharge casting or fitting 20. This casting is provided with an enlarged shoulder 21 which is soldered to the shell. The inner end of the casting is A provided with a flaring member receiving a screen 22, and the outer end of the casting is formed as a threaded nipple 23. which receives the usual flexible hose 24 carrying a discharge nozzle 25.

When chlorosulfonic acid or'hydrochloric acid is used, it is preferable to provide a hermetically sealed acid container to prevent fuming and corrosion. In order to insure proper operation of the extinguisher upon inversion when such a sealed acid container is used, the container is preferably made of frangible material and means are provided for causing breaking of the frangible container upon inversion to secure the mixing of the chemicals. As shown, the upper end of the inner face of the cover casting 1 1 is offset to provide a shoulder upon which an annular ring member 31 rests. The member 31 is provided with downwardly and inwardly extending arms 32 connected at their lower ends with a cylindrical member 33,

preferably formed integrally with the arms member 33 and in spaced relation to the cover 15. Resting within the tube is a hermetically sealed acid bottle 38 having a contracted neck portion 39 with a fragile end. Carried by the cover 15 in alignment with the tube' 35 is a pointed projection 40, this projection being shown as riveted at 41 to the cover. Cushioning means, such as a spring 37 is preferably provided at the bottom of the tube to serve as a resilient support for the acid bottle. This permits the acid bottle to be dropped or slide to the bzttom of the tube without danger of breaking.

In order to facilitate ,the sliding of the frangible acid container 38, the tube 35 is preferably formed with interiorly extending ribs 42, which ribs may be rolled in the sheet metal. The body portion of the frangible container 38 is formed of less diameter than the diameter of the circle passing through the inner extremities of the ribs. Thus the container normally rests against only two of the ribs atone timeand the friction resisting sliding movement is greatly decreased. In order to secure the proper feed of acid from the frangible container after breaking, means is provided for limiting the descent of the container to hold the broken end thereof in spaced relation to the cover. As shown, a cross-pin 45 extends through a bore formed in the projection 40 and is fastened therein.

In operation, the extinguisher is inverted, and the acid bottle slides down the ribbed tube 35 into contact with the pointed projec-' tion 40, thereby breaking the fragile end of the bottle. The downward movement of the bottle is limited by the cross-pin 45 which extends across the broken mouth of the end of the bottle and holds it in spaced relation with the cover to permit the proper feed of acid therefrom. In such position the projection 40 extends into the neck of the bottle and acts to suitably restrict the rate of escape of the acid.

It is found that when using a charge of a solution containing per unit volume large quantities of carbonate, and an acid such as chlorosulfonic acid, the initial reaction ofthe chemicals is very violent, and with the ordinary construction a reaction shock is produced upon the initial reaction. of these chemicals. Moreover, the gas pressure tends to build up too rapidly when the usual construction is used. Means are provided for overcoming this reaction shock and for controlling the rate of mixing of the chemicals. This means causes the pressure to rise slowly and to be maintained throughout a greater portion of the period of discharge, as is required by Underwriters Laboratories. As shown, an inverted cup shaped member 47 is fastened to the cover 15 by means of the rivet 41 which also holds the projection 40 in place. This member has a downwardly extending flange forming a tubular extension which isconcentric with and surrounding the upper end of the tube 35.- The tubular extension is so spaced from this upper end of the tube 35 that a constricted annular assage is formed therebetween through w ich the chemicals flow when being mixed,'with the result that the rate of mixing of the chemicals is properly controlled and retarded and a shock absorbing chamber is formed adjacent the zone of reaction.

In Fig. 3 is disclosed a slightly modified construction which is adapted to eflectively control the rate of mixing of the chemicals to provide the desired generation of gas pressure and to prevent any reaction shock. The parts illustrated in Fig. 3 are shown in the position assumed uponv inversion of the extinguisher. The cover casting of the extinguisher, indicated at 14c, screw-threaded'ly receives thereon a cover 15, an annular washer 17 being positioned between the outer end of the casting 14: and the cover 15'. The cover 15 is provided with a centrally arranged thickened'portion 48 having a bore therein opening on the interior side of the cover, within which bore is pressed or otherwise secured the stem 49 of a point- 'ed projection 40 carrying a cross-pin 45.

The projection 40 is disposed in alignment with a sliding tube or guide 35' supported within the outer extlnguisher casing (not shown). The frangible acid bottle 38 is shown as having fallen to the lower end of the tube 35 the fragile end of the bottle having been broken by the projection 40 which protrudes within this broken end of the bottle to control the feed of acid therefrom. The descent of the acid bottle 38 is limited by the cross-pin '45, the broken mouth of the bottle being thereby maintained in spaced relation to the cover 15. In order to control the rate of mixing of the liquids, a tubular member 47 is provided, one end of this member being fastened such as by soldering within a suitable groove formed in the inner side of the cover 15, the other end of the tubular member being concentric with and surmember 50 is provided. This member is formed at its upper end with an annular ring portion 51 which is adapted to rest when the extinguisher is in upright position upon a shoulder 30 formed on the interior of the cover casing 14. This second tubular member 50 is concentric with and surrounds the first tubular member 47 and is of greater length than the tubular member 47 The function of the tubular member 50 is primarily to retard the rate of admittance -of the carbonate solution within the outer container into the reaction zone adjacent the open end of the tube 35 upon inversion of the extinguisher. The

inner end of the member 50 is provided with spiders or arms 51 connected to a cylindrical member 33' to which the tube 35 is rigidly secured.

The potassium carbonate fire extinguishing liquid as set forth above is eculiarly applicable to the extinguishing of oil fires, being as effective as carbon tetrachloride in this respect. None of the other carbonate solutions commonly used in extinguishers of .this type are effective for oil fires. It is found that the most effective results in the extinguishing of such an oil fire are secured when the liquid is thrown upon the burning oil in the form of a broken stream or a spray. In order to secure this spraying or broken stream efiect, a nozzle such as shown in Fig. 1 gives very satisfactory results. The nozzle has a bore 55 therein provided with an abrupt shoulder 56. This may be conveniently formed by inserting an annular rin 57 within the nozzle bore, the ring mem er forming the abrupt shoulder and serving to constrict the nozzle outlet which effects the desired broken stream dischar e ofrthe fire extinguishing liquid.

W 'le the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container adapted to receive a fire extinguishing liquid, a frangible inner container adapted to receive a second liquid for reaction with said first mentioned liquid upon inversion of the extinguisher to generate an expelling gas, a tube for said frangible inner container supported within said extinguisher, said inner container being adapted to slide by gravity along said tube upon inversion of the extinguisher and cooperating means between the tube and frangible inner container for reducing the resistance to the sliding movement of said frangible inner container along said tube upon inversion of the extinguisher. c

2. A fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container adapted to contain a fire extinguishing liquid, a frangible inner container adapted .to contain a second liquid for reaction with a said first mentioned liquid upon inversion of the extinguisher to generate an expelling gas, a cylindrical tube for said frangible inner container supported within said extinguisher, said inner container being adapted to slide by gravity along said tube upon inversion of the extinguisher, said cylindrical tube having inwardly extending ribs contacting with said inner container to reduce the friction resisting the sliding movement of said container, said inner container being of less diameter than the diameter of the circle passing through the inner extremities bf any two of said ribs.

3. A fire extinguisher of the character de-' scribed, comprisingan outer container for receiving a fire extinguishing liquid and having an opening therein, a cover for said opening, a tube supported WltlllIf said outer container, the lower end of said tube being closed and the upper end communicating with the space within the outer container above the normal liquid level therein, a frangibleinner container having-a contracted discharge portion movably supported within said tube, said inner container being adapted to receive a second liquid for reaction with said first mentioned liquid to generate an expelling gas, a breaking and feed controlling projection mounted in alignment with said tube to facilitate breaking of said frangible container; and means spaced from the normal position of said inner container and inwardly of said cover .move downwardly about said projection until such movement is stopped by the said limiting means, the size of the pro ect 1on being coordinated with the effective opemng that results upon the breaking of the frangible container to effect controlled l1m1t1ng guisher. fire extinguisher of the character decontainer, the lower endof said tube being closed and the upper end extending above the normal liquid level therein but. terminating in spaced relation to said cover, a frangible inner container slidably support ed within said tube and adapted to move therein upon inversion of the extinguisher, said inner container being. adapted to contain a second liquid for reaction with said first mentioned liquid to generate an expelling gas, a breaking and feed controlling projection for breaking the end-- of said frangible container, the size of said projection being coordinated with the effective opening that results upon the breaking of thefrangible container to effect controlled limiting of the flow of liquid therefrom to give a predetermined rate of discharge, and a member positioned adjacent the upper end of said tube and in such predetermined spaced relation thereto as to effect controlled limiting of the rate of mixing of said liquids upon inversion of the extin- 5. A scribed, comprising an outer container adapted to receive a fire extinguishing liquid and having an opening therein, a cover for said opening, a tube supported within said outer container, the lower end of said tube being closed and the upper end communicating with the space within the outer container above the normal liquid level therein, a frangible inner container supported within said tube, said inner container being adapted to contain a second liquid for reaction with said first men tioned liquid to generate an expelling gas, a member positioned in such predetermined spaced relation to the upper end of said tube as to effect controlledlimiting of the rate of mixing of said liquids upon inversion of the extinguisher, and a second member surrounding the first mentioned member in such predetermined spaced relation as to effectcontrolled limiting of the rate of admittance of the first mentioned liquid into the reaction zone adjacent the dis charge end of the inner container upon inversion of the extinguisher.

6. A fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container for receiving a fire extinguishing liquid and having an opening therein, a cover for said opening, a tube supported within said outer container, the lower end of said tube being closed and the upper end extending above the normal liquid level therein but terminating in spaced relation to said cover, a frangible inner container slidably supported within said tube, said inner container being adapted to contain a second liquid for reaction with said first mentioned liquid to generate an expelling gas, a breaking and feed controlling projection for breaking the end of said frangible container, the size of said projection being coordinated with the effective opening that results upon the breaking of the frangible container to effect controlled limiting of the flow of liquid therefrom to give a predetermined rate of discharge, a member positioned adjacent the upper endof said tube and in such predetermined spaced relation thereto as to effect controlled limiting of the rate of mixing of said liquids upon inversion of the extinguisher, and a second member positioned in such predetermined spaced relation to said parts as to effect controlled limiting of the rate of admittance of said first mentioned liquid into the reaction zone adjacent the discharge end of said tube.

7. fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container for receiving a fire extinguishing liquid and having an opening therein, a cover for said opening, said container having a shoulder about said opening, a supportin member seated thereon having downwardly c epending arms, a tube supported by said arms, the

lower end of said tube being closed and the upper end thereof extending above the normal liquid level in said outer container but terminating in spaced relation to said cover, a container supported within said tube adapted to contain a liquid for reaction with said first mentioned liquid upon inversion of the extinguisher to generate an expelling gas, and a depending tubular member carried by said cover extending downwardly within said supporting member, the lower end of said tubular member being concentric with and surrounding the upper end of said tube in such predetermined spaced relation as to effect controlled limiting of the rate of mixing of said liquids upon inversion.

8. A fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container for receiving a fire extinguishing liquid, a tube supported within said container, the lower end of said tube being closed and the upper end being in communication with the space within said outer container, a frangible inner container supported within said tube, said inner container being adapted to contain a second liquid for reaction with said first-mentioned liquid to generate an expelling gas,a breaking and feed controlling projection adapted to break the said frangible container, the size of said projection being coordinated with the effective opening that results upon the breaking of the frangible container to effect controlled limiting of the rate of discharge of liquid therefrom to give a predetermined rate of discharge, and a member positioned in such predetermined spaced relation with respect to the upper end of said tube as to efiect controlled limiting of the rate of mixing of the liquids upon inversion of the extinguisher.

9. A fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container for receiving a fire extinguishing liquid and having an opening therein, a cover for said opening, a supporting member mounted within the extinguisher, a tube supported by the supporting member, the lower end of said tube being closed and the upper end thereof being in communication with the space within said outer container above the normal liquid level therein, a frangible inner container movably, supported within said tube, said inner container being adapted to contain a second liquid for reaction with said first-mentioned liquid to generate an expelling gas, a breaking and feed controlling projection adapted to break the end of said frangible container permitting the broken container to slide down about said projection upon inversion of the extinguisher, the size of the projection being 00- ordinated with the effective opening that results upon the breaking of the fran ible container to eifect controlled limiting o the rate of discharge of liquid therefrom, and a tubular member surrounding the upper end of said tube in such predetermined spaced relation as to effect controlled limiting of the rate of mixing of the liquids upon inversion of the extinguisher. v

10. A fire extinguisher of the character described, comprising an outer container adapted to receive a fire extinguishing liquid, a supporting member carried by the outer container, a tube carried by the supporting member, the lower end of said tube being closed and the upper end communicating with the space within the outer container above the normal liquid level therein, an inner container supportedwithin said tube adapted to contain a second liquid for reaction with said first mentioned liquid, said supporting member having an extension surrounding said tube in such predetermined spaced relation as to provide a re stricted channel therebetween to effect controlled limiting of the rate of mixing of said liquids upon inversion of the extinguisher.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

GRLES R. DOLIVE. 

